RAIL union bosses fear London’s key transport projects such as Crossrail could be hit with the Government kicking off its first programme of cuts today. Even the London Underground upgrading could be at risk, warns the RMT union.

By Mike Brooke

RAIL union bosses fear London's key transport projects such as Crossrail could be hit with the Government kicking off its first programme of cuts today.

Even the London Underground upgrading could be at risk, warns the RMT union.

General Secretary Bob Crow said: "Major projects are under threat as the Government looks on transport as a soft touch for savage cuts.

"The continued threat to Crossrail, confirmed by the Government yesterday, is the thin end of a very thick wedge."

He added: "Today is just the opening shots in an austerity war that could ram a gaping hole in public services and jack up mass unemployment."

Around �108m could be cut from London's transport schemes.

But this is unlikely to include Crossrail, according to Chancellor George Osborne's statement earlier today. Construction began last year with work on the station complex Canary Wharf.